Google's New 'iPager' Ad Shames Apple for Using Outdated Messaging Standard

[MacRumors]

Google is continuing on with its relentless #GetTheMessage marketing campaign in an attempt to get Apple to adopt the RCS messaging protocol. In its latest ad, Google shows off the "iPager," which Google describes as a device that "uses outdated messaging tech" like Apple uses "when texting with Android."

RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is a communication protocol designed by and adopted by Google. Google has been pushing Apple to implement support for RCS, but Apple devices continue to support the older SMS protocol. Google claims that Apple is responsible for all the issues that Android and iPhone users have texting one another, including lack of encryption, broken group chats, pixelated pictures and videos, and the green bubbles.

"iPager isn't real, but the problems that Apple causes by using SMS are. Let's make texting better for everyone and help Apple #GetTheMessage and upgrade to RCS," read's Google's video.

Major U.S. carriers and other carriers worldwide have adopted support for RCS, but Apple has no plans to do so despite Google's multi-year effort. Google has used billboards, ads, websites, social media campaigns, and more to get Apple's attention and to try to convince iPhone users to request the feature from Apple, but so far, it hasn't worked.

In September 2022, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that RCS is not a priority for Apple. "I don't hear our users asking that we put a lot of energy in on that at this point," he explained. To one reporter who said he was having an issue texting his mother on an Android device, Cook said "Buy your mom an iPhone."

It is not clear if Apple will ever adopt RCS, but so far, it does not sound like the company has any interest in doing so. If Apple did adopt RCS, it would allow for end-to-end encryption for conversations between iPhone and Android users, as well as higher quality media. Apple already offers these features for the iMessage service that works from iPhone to iPhone.

Article Link: Google's New 'iPager' Ad Shames Apple for Using Outdated Messaging Standard

 

[God of Biscuits]

But Apple would still use green bubbles to distinguish non-iMessages, and Google would still freak out about that. That's what Google's real issue is.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

#installwhatsappyoustrangecreatures.

 

[clayj]

No one should listen to Google or care what they think. "Don't be evil" stopped being their unofficial motto a LONG time ago.

 

[deaglecat]

Who else wants an iPager now ?

 

[fatTribble]

I’m not sure that’s the most effective way to motivate Apple 🤔

 

[anthogag]

I don’t have to watch the video to know what I’m going to say, Google sucks 😄

 

[macsplusmacs]

Google is the new Samsung.

Sad.

 

[DinkThifferent]

Saying hello to Allo and Duo: new apps for smart messaging and video calling

Today we’re sharing a preview of two new apps that take a fresh look at how people connect: Allo, a smart messaging app, and Duo, a simple, fast one-to-one video calling…

blog.google

why can’t everybody just use Allo and Duo instead of iMesssage and FaceTime?! Oh wait…

 

[jz0309]

They could just stop paying Apple billions for making Google the default search engine in iOS …

 

[Ntombi]

Yeah, iMessage is their real problem, and its popularity is the reason most iPhone users don’t care about/understand the RCS issue.

 

[tgwaste]

The problem is Google's reliability on products and standards which is 0.

 

[antiprotest]

Oh, that reminds me to advise a friend considering a new smartphone to avoid Android if he wants to be able to finally use iMessage, which 100% of his other friends use.

 

[NotApplicable]

I don't know a single person that green bubbles, so this doesn't apply

 

[1278701]

#installwhatsappyoustrangecreatures.

Install META software on my device? Nah thanks 😅

 

[klasma]

In September 2022, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that RCS is not a priority for Apple. "I don't hear our users asking that we put a lot of energy in on that at this point," he explained.

It’s not like Apple is known for listening to its users a lot anyway. Apple likes to do their own thing instead.

Or, if Siri is anything to go by, maybe listening, but not responding usefully.

 

[Johnny Steps]

This is the best way to not make Apple do anything lol.

 

[klasma]

Yeah, iMessage is their real problem, and its popularity is the reason most iPhone users don’t care about/understand the RCS issue.

…in the US.

 

[Verified Whiskey]

To one reporter who said he was having an issue texting his mother on an Android device, Cook said "Buy your mom an iPhone."

This is some big Steve Jobs energy and I am all for it. Haha.

 

[deebinem]

I don't know a single person that green bubbles, so this doesn't apply

A few of my circle does and the biggest complaint with being on a group message with green bubblers is I CANNOT LEAVE THE FRICKIN' GROUP MESSAGE like I could if we were all blue... #firstworldproblems

 

[DaPizzaMan]

Saying hello to Allo and Duo: new apps for smart messaging and video calling

Today we’re sharing a preview of two new apps that take a fresh look at how people connect: Allo, a smart messaging app, and Duo, a simple, fast one-to-one video calling…

blog.google

why can’t everybody just use Allo and Duo instead of iMesssage and FaceTime?! Oh wait…

Are you suggesting that because they can't be trusted to maintain their apps that they should not be trusted to maintain RCS?

 

[tomtad]

The new SMS is WhatsApp and it has been for nearly the past decade in the UK. You can have group chats etc regardless of what device you’re using.

 

[Cyberius11]

That's just embarrassing. Considering how many messaging apps Google has launched and killed over the years, I'm not sure they should be the one throwing stones here.

 

[tomnavratil]

Google forgot to mention how they messed up the RCS standard and their implementation is quite crappy. It doesn't make much sense for Apple to spend money on trying to implement this aside iMessage or instead of standard SMS.

 

[krebphone]

Don't all RCS messages traverse Google servers? No thanks.